(Rant mode on)

Is it just me or do people driving cars tend to tailgate trucks more than they do another car? I've put 64,000 miles on this truck and previously put over 175,000 miles on a van. Throughout those miles I've observed so often how people will tuck themselves so tightly behind me that there is no way they can see anything other than my hind-end.

Does it not dawn on these folks that they can't see through me? Are they of the impression that, at 70+mph, they will be able to avoid my Class III trailer hitch should I need to slam on the brakes?

It used to be that a few taps on the brake pedal would suffice in getting them to back of a couple of inches. That doesn't seem to work anymore. I've considered bringing old bowling *****, cinderblocks and used refrigerators along for lobbing out the window at these accidents-waiting-to-happen.

Hmmm, my tailgate has a few scratches on it - I wonder if I can get one of these folks to pay for a repaint and a roll-pan (instead of a new bumper).

(Rant mode off now)

Whatcha think?

Tom in Tacoma

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1998 F150 XLT S/C 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS, 4X2, Moonlight Blue, all the factory bells & whistles except for leather seats.

• Lund Deflector
• Lund Premier Tonneau Cover
• K&N Filter
• Body-color painted Throttle Cover
• Blue wire-looms
• Pentaliner S/R
• Window tint
• Ford side-steps
• Infiniti component speakers - front
• Polk Audio speakers - back
• Superchip (OH YEAH!!)
• Flowmaster 50 Series 'Delta-Flow' w/ 3" pipe
• Clear turn signal lenses
  
• Next up - billet grill.

Tom in Tacoma

(Washington not Toyota)
Go check out http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics for the second best website for F150's

 

Drop the tailgate, carry around four or five pieces of rebar. Nine or ten foot lengths should do it. You can file the ends to a sharp point if you like.

Don't forget to attach a red flag that says,
'Come To Papa'.

 

So I shouldn't use red flags reading, "Who's your Daddy"?

Tom in Tacoma

 

I was thinking of making a device that would open my tailgate from the cab and raise the front of my bed. This way I could fill my bed with 3 inch nails and eliminate the car behind me. But that would probally make the evening news. "Chevy Cavalier torn to shreds by rusty nails tonight at 10"

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2000 White sport
4.2l V6 5spd
K&N filter
Superchip
Single in dual out 40 series Flomaster

As soon as i can afford it: Airaid FIPK

 

I like the idea of the 'tail-gate-down' combined with the bowling ***** in the bed myself.

That should back them right up!!

(No need to raise bed, just take right off. You hit 'submit' before I did, Ford minds think alike?)
------------------
Andthensometoo ®
"Moonlight Blue" 98 F150 SC (FREAKING SUPER CAB!)
XLT 2WD 4.6, 3.55 LS Tow Pkg.
SUPERCHIP, K&N Airbox mod. w/ "Cool" intake,
Mobil One Oil, Bosch +4's, Throttle Body Spacer Plate. Lund Fastback, Lighted visor, Runninng Boards, Crome Taillight covers, Polished Steel Fenderwell Moldings, Smoked Bug and Rain guards, Shelf-it,
Carpet dash cover, "Andthensometoo" in silver Letters 3" tall on tail gate.
Red Wings license plate in front,
Red Wings license plate frame in back,
Little Detroit Viper hanging from mirror,
Oh yeah, and one "Blacked-out" grill.
Gonna get my Bed rails back on, Finally!
Couldn't find the right Polished steel design, so once I modify the powercoated ones I just bought, I will paint them.

Q: who wants my "Pocket Mount" chrome ones? Price:cost of shipping, or gas and maybe lunch if you live in S/E MI.

<A HREF="http://www.andthensometoo.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>

"Rocks don't move unless pushed, and neither do chevys!"


[This message has been edited by Andthensometoo (edited 05-05-2000).]

 

I can honestly say I don't normally have that problem. That could be due to the fact that I am hardly ever cruising at speeds less then 80 and more frequently 90. I race quads and have a tenency to race with my truck to. 80-90mph just doesn't seem fast to me. It must be that desert racer spirit.

Although I really don't tailgate trucks because I don't like not being able to see whats ahead in case I need to stop. Cars on the other hand.....

Bones

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2000 F-150, XLT, 4X2, Ext. Cab, S/B, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Tow Package, Premium Sound CD Player.

Future Mods: NONE, I'm broke.

 

I thought tailgaters were bad when I had my f150 but now it seems they're even worse (might just be tourist season starting up). Sometimes when I'm waiting at a light, I check my rearview mirror (inside one) and can see a car that's about a whole car length back from me. Great I think, but then I check my outside rear view mirror and I can just see part of a car that's between me and the one I see well. These people have moved so close to me that I can't see them in my mirrors. You should see them if I'm on a little bit of a hill and I let it roll back just a bit!!! I don't think young people have a clue about what it means to drive a big truck w/a clutch. Or better yet, they don't know what it means to be behind one at the light w/a slight hill. I don't like to tailgate but there are times I will. Like when there's something going on in the road and you're given "miles" to merge into the correct lane. Then I will tailgate to prevent someone from darting infront of me. I hate to sit waiting in line for my turn to get past something only to have some speedy thing jump the line.

 

ATST,
You're right we do think alike. I was thinking about deflating tires though, not bashing the car to death! Why don't people realize that if they hit the back of my truck they will bend my pipes then I'll really be pissed! Also studies indicate that a car vs. truck collision is more than likely going to seriously injure the driver of the car. I had a freind in High School that used to carry a fire extinguisher in his Ranger so when people would tailgate the would get a nice little smokescreen.

------------------
2000 White sport
4.2l V6 5spd
K&N filter
Superchip
Single in dual out 40 series Flomaster

As soon as i can afford it: Airaid FIPK

 

I've been guilty of slowing down to 35 mph on the interstate to show people behind me that things could be worse. This usually wakes 'em up otherwise I pull a little to the side and stand on the brakes.

As far as the bowling ball trick goes, I thought that's what the sliding rear glass was for....

[This message has been edited by all44chem (edited 05-05-2000).]

 

If your in the right hand lane, I sympathize with you. BUT, if you are in the left lane, you need to get the Hell out of the way.

 

I'm getting a pushbar sort of thing for the rear end of my truck. Its from WAAG, I think that this device will make my truck look even tougher and add a couple of 100 Watt lights and voila! An instint tailgater-be-gone mechanisme

I will show some pics as soon as I get my stuff installed. I went all out and got some side tubes (nerf bars), front pushbar/brush gaurds and that rear thing.

------&gt; I noticed people didn't tailgate me for long when I had some gravel in my box and with rocks dancing about on my bumper...

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Formerly known as 4byFord

Check out my site: eph1fifty.cjb.net My email: eph1fifty@hotmail.com
1997 F150 4x4 XLT with ORP 4.2L V6 and 5-speed manual.

 

Spyder - it's been a long time since I've been to New Orleans so I don't know how the traffic is. Here in the Seattle/Tacoma/Everett area the traffic congestion has been rated the third worst in the nation. It doesn't matter which lane you're in - if I were to move over for a tailgater - the tailgater could only move forward exactly 22 feet.

I'll move over on for anyone running faster than me as long as I'm not being impeded by five lanes of slow moving traffic. But to tailgate someone that you can't see through or around while running along at speed is not only stupid it shows the driver is tired of living.

So, if I get this correctly; drive with the tailgate down, open the slider and roll out the bowling ball. Not bad....

Tom in Tacoma

 

I must admit. Last time I was driving behind an F150 (in moms escort) I did pull up way too close behind him at a red light. But only because it was night & I was trying to decide if it was black or wedgewood blue, so I could tell my sister "that's the color I ordered". Had to get like a foot from his bumper & look right at the tailgait to tell it was blue. Other than that I never tailgate.

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quzax@my-f150.com My-F150.com/quzax
My-F150.com {now up & running)
My-F250.com (coming soon)
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On Order (4-12-00):
:: MM F-150 XLT SC SS 4x4 SB ORP 3.55LS 5.4L :: Deep Wedgewood Blue / Silver / Dark Graphite :: Cab Steps :: Elec. 4x4 :: Keyless :: 6-disc :: Power Seat :: Capt. Chairs :: Soft Tonneau :: Slider :: Tow pkg. :: Splash Guards :: Hood Deflector ::
Online Superchip ordering system

 

Bumperkleven we call it.Kleven is the dutch word for sticking.
One of the major causes of accidents and severe damages on our highways.
Lately really sophisticated cameras on the highway can determin the distance from the car in front of you up to only 1 mm!!!
You can get big tickets if your are too close.It depends on the distance how big your fine will be.(Up to 300 US$ maximum I believe)
Same goes for speed,they can measure your average speed over a great distance as well.
Soon they are going to register your plate as well when you enter a certain area.(Early in the morning and late in the afternoon)
Traffic jams are increasing every year,our government wants us to take the train,etc...
It means paying toll(2 US$ each time)
Well, if you go to work and you happen to be in such areas,It will cost you 4 US$ every day.20 a week and + 1000 US$ a year.
Never had tailgaters with my truck so far.
With the trailer I had a few,they are just using the slipstream!!! for saving gas.I always use my warninglights to scare them of and in most cases it will help.
But I hate those drivers who are passing you when 2 lanes go to 1 and they have to brake not to collide with the car in front of them.
I have to brake as well although I always keep plenty of space between the car in front of me.It happens to me every day with the trailer.They just don't realise you are driving a combination of 8.000- +11.000 lbs.

 

[This message has been edited by bazil1 (edited 05-07-2000).]